| ![Show Contents]() Arsenau History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
France
Etymology of ArsenauWhat does the name Arsenau mean? The history of the Arsenau family goes back to the Medieval landscape of northern France, to that coastal region known as Normandy. The name is derived from the family living at Arcine, in the Canton of Haute-Savoie in Normandy. Early Origins of the Arsenau familyThe surname Arsenau was first found in Normandy (French: Normandie), the former Duchy of Normandy, where this ancient family has held a family seat since very early times. The first record of the name was in 1257 and 1264, and has a connection with the noble name of Von-Locarno. The period of the time when the family name was Arcenium was perhaps the most rewarding period in that during this time and up to July 1657 this family branch was elected to be the Barons Arcenale de Langon of Orleans and Poitou, but this branch became detached from the main stem of the name of Arsenault. The branch which spelt its name Arzegnio ultimately became Counts, but their history has disappeared into the mists of time. When the family arrived in North America it is thought to have first settled in the Canadian Maritimes in the late 1600's and the name became spelt with the traditional "lt" ending. The name flourished more during this period and until the 20th century, although the name is rarely found in the official records of the early French settlers. However, the name is still found in its original form of Arcegno (pronounced Arsenault) in Switzerland where many noble branches of the family exist. François Arseneau married Suzanne Lecomte in 1665. Suzanne died due to complications from childbirth after delivering their first son, Michel, on 24th December 1666. François died on 10th Februrary 1669 from influenza in Batiscan, Quebec. 1 Early History of the Arsenau familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Arsenau research. Another 65 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1347 and 1452 are included under the topic Early Arsenau History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Arsenau Spelling VariationsFrench surnames were subject to numerous alterations in spelling because of the various cultural groups that inhabited specific regions. Eventually, each region possessed its own local dialect of the French language. The early development of the French language, however, was also influenced by other languages. For example, Old French was infused with Germanic words and sounds when barbarian tribes invaded and settled in France after the fall of the Roman Empire. Middle French also borrowed heavily from the Italian language during the Renaissance. As a result of these linguistic and cultural influences, the name Arsenau is distinguished by a number of regional variations. The many spelling variations of the name include Arsenault, Arsenaul, Arsenaulte, Arsenauld, Arsenaud, Arsenaut, Arsenot and many more. Early Notables of the Arsenau familyMore information is included under the topic Early Arsenau Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Arsenau familyIn 1643, 109 years after the first landings by Cartier, there were only about 300 people in Quebec. Migration was slow. The fur trade attracted migrants, both noble and commoner. By 1675, there were 7000 French in Quebec. By the same year the French Acadian presence in the Maritimes had reached 500. The French founded Lower Canada, thus becoming one of the two great founding nations of Canada. The family name Arsenau has made many distinguished contributions in France and New France to the world of science, culture, religion, and education. Amongst the settlers in North America with this distinguished name Arsenau were Pierre Arsenault (Pierre I) who was born in Rochefort in west-central France around 1646 and arrived in Acadia shortly after the 1671 census. In Acadia, Pierre I married twice and had 9 children. Pierre I, helped to found the Beaubassin settlement and several of Pierre I'.
- Olivier, Reginald L. Your Ancient Canadian Family Ties. Logan: The Everton Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 368, 1972. Print
 |
